AF_IC04_ The motherboard. Components and configuration.
AF Unit 3 Form factors and cases.
Computers are and have been encapsulated in all kinds of form factors, starting from the
early days. In this Unit you will learn about how the computers have evolved, mainly through
getting smaller and more powerful, and in which form factors they can be found today,
including desktop computers but also laptops and even mobile phones.
3.1 Evolution of hardware
The hardware that we can find in computers has evolved over time. Knowing this evolution
will allow you to better understand current hardware and future tendencies.
The following is a brief summary of the historical evolution of computer hardware from the
first computer up until today. The first generation of actual computers (1945-1955) was
characterized by their valve-based architecture, while the second generation finishing in the
sixties revolved around the development of the transistor.
THE ANALYTICAL ENGINE
Charles Babbage (1792-1871) is considered to be the designer of the first computer,
called Analytical Engine, although he wasn't able to make it actually function, because at
that time, technology was not precise enough.
The third generation, up until circa, 1980, was the one of the integrated circuits or chips and
from this date we entered the era of the PC (personal computers or microcomputer). The
current mobile technology explosion may be considered as a fifth generation
ENIAC: first generation machine built with vacuum tubes (or valves)
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TO KNOW MORE
The following is a very lively page about computer history, with photos of the systems, a
time line on the evolution of the hardware and updated information on events related to
computer history. The webpage is linked with a computer museum that is possible to visit
personally in Silicon Valley.
Computer History Museum
Activity: Try to find photos of the computers for every generation in the page, and find what
differences can be seen at plain sight and through the descriptions. A good way to reflect
your findings would be to create a timeline like the ones found in www.timetoast.com. There
are lots of examples such as the next one: http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/computerhistory-timeline--6
3.2 Desktop computers form factors
Given the fact that the most common computers have been the desktop models for the last
years, it is important that you know about the concept of form factor in these kinds of
computers and related to the motherboard.
The distribution and dimensions of the components in a motherboard depend on standards,
mostly generated by the computer industry. In the PC environment, most of the form factors
have evolved from the one called AT.
FORM FACTOR
The computers form factor refers to the specification of a motherboard including
physical dimensions, power supply type, location of mounting holes and other details. It
has also been used to refer to the computer cases size and specifications.
The standards such as ATX have to do with the motherboard but with the distribution and
dimensions of the cases too. We can still find in working computers, standards such as ATX,
baby ATX, mini ATX, micro ATX, or other evolutions like BTX.
Video Activity: Watch the next video from the web “Techskills” that explains thoroughly the
different motherboard form factors available on the market by showing them.
Form factors and components.
Listen carefully and try to write down in a list the different types of form factors that appear in
the video, including the actual motherboard shown. Identify all the components seen
previously in the activity. Also try and listen to which components this particular motherboard
has (and does not have).
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COMPUTER CASE
The computer case, also known as tower, or chassis, has the function of protecting the
computer components.
To continue, read the next article that shows the different sizes and kinds of cases to build
personal computers that can range from the Full Tower to the Small Form Factor Case. Write
them all down in order to learn the terms. Pay attention also to the part where the article
explains the Motherboard Form Factors, given that you can read about all the form factors
there, from ATX (Full ATX) to Mini ITX, and including some obsolete ones.
TO KNOW MORE
Article on the motherboard and cases form factor, with brief explanations of the most
important ones that have existed in the personal computer environment.
Types of computer cases and motherboard factors.
In the next quizlet you can, besides checking the definitions, play with them. Be sure to learn
while playing!
TO KNOW MORE
Quizlet about the form factors. You can review the concepts with their definitions and
hear how they sound in English
Form factors and inside the computer.
3.3 Not only desktops: laptops, mobile systems.
The desktop personal computers are not the only ones out there. If you go to a computer
store you will find all kinds of computers, ranging from the good old-fashioned desktop
computers to all sizes of laptop computers, and to the increasingly powerful mobile phones.
Portable computers have been with us for a long time now, and they have improved their
features even more than their big cousins, the desktops.
The portable and ultraportable computers main feature is that most of their components, if
not all of them, are integrated in the same case. This can include the display, keyboard,
pointer, speakers, power supply, together with storage units and communications.
Most of portable computers are designed around the shell form factor, in which the screen
folds down when the computer is not in use. This allows the computer to be protected when
stored or transported.
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An example of a portable computer.
TYPES OF PORTABLE COMPUTERS
In the web of the manufacturer Dell you will find examples of several form factors for
portable computers, such as laptops, ultrabooks or notebooks.
Dell webpage selling laptops.
Portability is the main advantage of portable computers, compared to the desktop ones. This
means that the portable computer can be used everywhere, and not only at home or at the
office. They have some other advantages related to their form factor, that can be summarized
in immediacy, connectivity, size, low-power consumption, silence, autonomy and to finish,
they are all-in-one packages.
PUT IT ON YOUR LAP.
The term laptop indicates that the device is compact enough to be put in one's own lap
while using it.
To finish with this unit, we will take a look to the mobile communication devices (mobile
phones). Although this kind of device started as a plain communication device, it has evolved
to a full-featured computer, in a small package though. It has reached everywhere, and in the
form of little tactile screens it gives us access to a whole world of applications and
connectivity.
TABLETS
Tablets can be considered a kind of device halfway between laptops and mobile phones.
They are bigger than the phones and they usually do not include a keyboard but a tactile
screen, although the differences among all these kinds of devices turn increasingly fuzzy.
A basic classification of the mobile phones labels them as basic phones (only calls and sms),
featured-rich phones (able to browse the web and take photos mostly) and the smartphones,
that integrate computer-level functionalities with the calling features.
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Several mobile phones put together.
Read and learn about the most widely used mobile phone form factors in this glossary of
terms that you can find in the www.gsmarena.com webpage.
MOBILE PHONES FORM FACTORS
The page includes much more information and definitions about the world of mobile
phones. Make sure to check it out with attention.
Clamshell, Bar, Flip-down phone
Check out the next webpage, made with the timeline tool timetoast (www.timetoast.com)
related to the history of phones.
TO KNOW MORE
Timeline of the history of phones from their invention.
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/history-of-cell-phone-timeline--4r
Make your own timeline, reflecting the recent history of mobile phones. You could include a
photo of your own phone in the adequate place of the timeline.
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